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I want to stay below $2000. that is why I am not considering another VPI. I would love a Prime but not going to pay 4K for a table.
Keep an eye on SoundStageDirect's demo page, you'd be surprised what you can find in your price range. I've seen a certified pre-owned Prime as low as 2399 and there were some killer VPI B-Stock tables recently in that price range.
Why not just get a better arm and cartridge?
I got to say the new Shinola Runwell turntable @ $2500 looks very interesting. This is the table VPI should have made if they weren't so obsessed with making every table now with plastic plinths.
Doesn't VPI make that for Shinola?
Not really. They may make some parts for them but it's assembly is done by Shinola in Detroit as you can see from the photos of them assembling it.
Back on topic, has the op considered just upgrading the table he has? You can get a Classic platter, a SDS speed controller, 3D printed arm, etc. Might be the most cost effective way to upgrade your sound quality, i.e. spend $2k on upgrades and end up with a $4k table (or thereabouts, you get the idea).
Hey all, Mat from VPI here, thought I would throw some two cents in to clear things up.First of all, DigitalDude, sorry to see you leave the family and hope to see you join us again in the future (maybe with a Prime). I hope you enjoy whatever table you go with and the music spinning "I was going to say: if you paid $4000 for a VPI prime you would've been the first! Soundstagedirect gets huge margins on VPI and buys in large quantity, which is how they're able to undercut all of the small brick and mortar dealers. Which is why few people are buying VPIs from small brick-and-mortar dealers anymore or small B&M stocking or displaying them. Soundstagedirect Is also a good dumping ground for all of Matt Weisfelds special parts concoction deals - whoops I mean specials!"Jarcher, your company is welcome to take trade ins just like any other dealer. We actually have noticed a major increase in brick-and-mortar dealers, I'm sorry to hear your store is not among them, judging by your forum posts I can venture a guess as to why...Regarding B-Stock and demo dealers, brick-and-mortar companies get newsletters for these offerings well in advanced of any online dealer... read your newsletters "Not really. They may make some parts for them but it's assembly is done by Shinola in Detroit as you can see from the photos of them assembling it."Jarcher, actually YES, really. My shop machines the aluminum top plate, the aluminum platter and bearing, the tonearm, and the feet. We also wire arms at the VPI shop before sending them to Detroit where they do final assembly. They also get their motor from us after we get it prepped. Their assembly team was trained by myself and other VPI technicians. "I got to say the new Shinola Runwell turntable @ $2500 looks very interesting. This is the table VPI should have made if they weren't so obsessed with making every table now with plastic plinths." Jarcher, well I guess I'm glad we made it! Same for the VPI Classic and Classic Signature.Also, I have to agree with Rif, if you are looking into the used market there are some HW 19s floating around that rock a lot of sound and can still be upgraded 30 years later. Glad to be on this forum, sorry about all the VPI mis-information from someone who should know better.